Feeling overwhelmed by the flood of conflicting information online? Worrying about whether that viral image or politician’s statement is true? Fear not! Google’s Fact Check Explorer can be your guide in the fight against misinformation.
What is it?
Think of it as a search engine specifically for fact checks. This nifty tool doesn’t verify claims itself, but instead indexes and showcases fact checks published by trusted news organizations, making them easier to find and digest.
How does it work?
- Start with the latest: Dive into the most recent fact checks by clicking “Recent fact checks”
- Explore by topic: Use the labels on the right side to discover checks related to specific themes like War, Tax, or names of personalities in the news.
- Find by publisher: Do you trust a particular news source? Filter by publications.
- Click for details: Each fact check displays the disputed claim, outcome (true/false), and responsible outlet. Click the link for a deeper dive on their website.
- Search for specifics: Type your own query in the search bar and get autocomplete suggestions to guide you.
Remember:
- Limited scope: Fact Check Explorer relies on existing published fact checks, so your search needs to target something already disputed and publicly addressed.
- Trusted sources only: Google verifies the credibility of publishers before including their fact checks.
The bottom line:
Fact Check Explorer empowers you to become a more informed person. By equipping yourself with the tools to evaluate online information critically, you can avoid falling prey to misinformation and make informed decisions. So, the next time you encounter a dubious claim, let Fact Check Explorer be your first stop in the quest for truth!
